"Carter made the team relevant, guided them to the second round of the playoffs, but was ultimately traded to the New Jersey Nets for nothing. Vansanity (as he was nicknamed) was one not only the most popular player on the Raptors but was one of the most popular players in the NBA. He was the best dunker in the league, as highlighted by the famous 2000 NBA Dunk Contest and he made everyone in Toronto proud that he was ours."
"The hatred started when he attended his graduating ceremony right before Game 7 of the second round, which was the biggest game in his basketball career. Carter went 6-for-18 from the floor, scoring only 20 points and missed a potential game-winning shot as well. Although he would continue to have a good few years in Toronto, that decision harshened a ton of Raptors fans opinions on him, before everyone turned on him when he left."
"Marner, the former No. 4 overall pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, had the opportunity to become the greatest player in team history. His creativity, similar to Carter's ability to dunk, was one of the best in the NHL. There were only a handful of players who could do the things that he did with the puck, so that excitment made every Leafs fan fall in love with him."
Vince Carter rose to superstardom with the Toronto Raptors, becoming one of the NBA's most popular players through spectacular dunking and playoff success. He attended his graduation immediately before a pivotal Game 7, played poorly and missed a potential game-winner, which soured many fans. Carter later demanded a trade and left the franchise, provoking widespread backlash. Mitch Marner, drafted fourth overall in 2015, displayed rare creative puck skills that energized Leafs fans and created high expectations. Comparisons point to similarities in fan adoration, perceived quitting during a rebuild, and the ensuing disappointment when each star departed.
Read at Editor In Leaf
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]